“Perfect” is a pretty heavy word. There aren’t many albums that meet that description, and I don’t think that we should just throw around that word — “perfection.”
I love greatness, and I’m in awe of people who create art that reaches the level of flawless, or even seemingly flawless. As a lover of music, I listen to albums by the gross. Sometimes I forget that not everyone consumes music in such quantities. When you listen to lots of records, you may start to judge the music a little differently. That said, it doesn’t mean anyone is more or less qualified to judge a record.
There aren’t so many twenty first century albums that reach the pinnacle, but it does happen. It’s always thrilling when it does.
Wilderness Road was written, arranged and produced by Gino Vannelli
Over the last year I’ve played one such specimen entitled Wilderness Road by Gino Vannelli. Released in 2019, the album was produced and arranged by Gino. He also wrote all of the songs.
Gino Vannelli is known for enduring pop songs like “I Just Wanna Stop,” and “Living Inside Myself,” among others. He hasn’t stopped and if you only know of Gino’s hits, Wilderness Road may surprise you. If you’ve got the time to listen closely, it’ll stun you.
The first thing you’ll notice from all of the songs is that Gino Vannelli is a storyteller, and there’s a cinematic quality to the songs. Wilderness Road is the kind of album that can arrest your imagination.
I’ll tell you what I mean.
You can experience Gino’s latest album in many ways
When I listen to music, I like to experience it in different ways. It can be a drastically different experience to listen to an album with earbuds as you walk in a city center, or on a CD player in your room in total darkness. Try it. Pay attention to the songs. Then start to pay attention to how you feel.
I’ve listened to this Wilderness Road album while driving through sparsely populated areas in South Carolina and Georgia. I’ve had Gino’s stories completely pull me in. On one occasion I realized I had lost track of where I was. The funny thing is that I found myself on a real wilderness road.
Vannelli is like a likely “master of communication”
There are so many incredible songs on this album that it’s difficult to name highlights. You know what indicates a great album? When you never think of skipping a track.
“Ghost Train,” is the opening track. You’ll hear the eerie words “all aboard,” and it’s an otherworldly way to start the journey you’re about to go on. These songs are different, and different is good. I think Gino Vannelli is a likely master of communication. It’s not just the lyrics of songs like this, but there’s nuance in his vocals, in the modulation and the arrangements. Everything in this album seems to be where it’s supposed to be.
I do have a favorite song. The second track is “Road to Redemption.” I may not skip tracks when I listen to Wilderness Road, but I do repeat this one pretty much every time. It’s a lush track, with Gino’s voice front and center. Gino’s vocals just soar on “Road to Redemption.” You’re going to want to blare this one. “Redemption,” is one of my favorite words, and it is one of the best things we’ll know. Here’s a song worthy of the word.
“Gimme Back My Life” is a song I could imagine Sinatra wanting to sing if he heard it. Sinatra could sing those songs of tremendous joy, but he could also make you feel like you had a heart that was shattered into smithereens. “Mind if I look around the place for the missing part of me?” is the kind of lyric we would see from back in the Great American Songbook. I’m glad someone is writing them.
Then there’s “Wayward Lover,” one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. It always manages to break my heart. Although the song is romantic, it brings to mind the Parable of the Prodigal Son. “Wayward Lover” is pure poetry and what a vocal. I’ve listened to this song and wondered — can something really be loved without a loss or a fear of loss being attached to it?
Much thought seemed to be put into the sequence of tracks
Songs like that are heavy, but another thing about Wilderness Road is the valleys and peaks. I get a feeling much thought was put into the sequencing of the songs. The way I see it,“It Ain’t Up to You,” channels Ray Charles. It’s wry and feels like it comes with a wink.
Then there’s “Yet, Something Beautiful,” which is a song that stands at the corners of sad and hopeful. For all of the visual beauty in this world, the things that are more beautiful than we can imagine are unseen. It’s usually only in music where we can explore those depths. “Yet, Something Beautiful” is an extraordinary story. If this review gets you to listen to that song, I’ll consider the review a success.
Gino isn’t afraid to write about the human condition. As Alan & Marilyn Bergman, two of the greatest lyricists ever told me, what the world doesn’t need is just another song. “Wrestling with Angels,” addresses man’s eternal fight between good and evil, that often feels that it exists internally. The writer isn’t afraid to go there. I love that this song addresses despair, one of the most insidious forces known to man. I’m not very wise, but if I had to give any advice it would simply be: do not despair. This song addresses such an important subject, though little discussed. Don’t believe lies, especially lies you think come from your own head.
What’s in a title?
What’s in a title? When I see those words — Wilderness Road it makes me think of those idyllic sojourns into tranquil places that you occasionally find yourself on. William Wordsworth conceptualized what he called “Spots of Time,” those seemingly mundane moments that occur when you’re in nature that create a lasting memory. Wordsworth said that these “Spots of Time” had the potential of “lifting us up when we are fallen.”
When you get to the end of the album, you’ve traveled such a heavy journey, you’ll need some relief. That’s why the album ends with the title track, which can only be described as cathartic. So often I’ve listened to this album while traveling on physical roads. And as I listen to the song “Wilderness Road,” it conjures many of those scenic roads I’ve traveled, both literally and metaphorically. Wilderness Road ends philosophically. You’ve got plenty to think about.
Gino Vannelli’s Wilderness Road is on a high vibration
I hope you don’t find my enthusiasm tiring. It’s just that the whole record is on such a high vibration The recurring theme in all of Gino’s stories is the palette of emotions we call existence.
He’s a poet. Without speaking for him, it seems he realizes that it is not just love that exists. That would be easy. There is beauty, but great blemishes too.
What impresses me about this evocative album isn’t singular. It’s not just about the arrangements, or how the instrumentation can be so subtle, but with nuance that works to great effect. It’s Gino’s writing of atypical songs. Here’s the thing — it’s so rare that someone who writes songs like this is able to present them with this level of refinement. It’s downright inspiring. I recommend Wilderness Road. Like me, I hope you’ll be glad you know this album exists.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you so much for joining me on this review. Consider listening to the album. Then, I invite you to think about the things that I’ve written about. If it inspires you to listen to the album, I’ll be happy. And as always, I’d love to hear what you think.
It’s a masterpiece by Gino!!